What is Stroke?

Stroke is a condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. This situation prevents brain cells from receiving oxygen and nutrients, leading to damage to the brain tissue.

Stroke can affect brain functions and lead to the onset of sudden neurological symptoms, requiring rapid
intervention.

What Are the Types of Stroke?

Stroke is generally divided into two main categories:

• Ischemic Stroke:
  The most common type of stroke, caused by the blockage of brain blood vessels. Blood clots or plaques block brain vessels, preventing blood flow.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke:
  A type of stroke that occurs when brain blood vessels rupture or leak blood into brain tissue.
  
  

What Are the Symptoms of Stroke?

Stroke symptoms begin suddenly and progress rapidly. Stroke is a medical emergency. If stroke symptoms are present, seeking immediate medical help is vital.

• Sudden Weakness or Paralysis in Facial Muscles:
  Weakness or paralysis may occur in the muscles on one side of the face. A person may experience symptoms such as drooping of the mouth, drooping of an eyelid, or facial asymmetry.
• Sudden Weakness or Paralysis in Arm or Leg:
  Sudden weakness, numbness, or paralysis may occur in the arm or leg. A person may experience symptoms such as inability to lift one arm, numbness in one leg, or a feeling of imbalance.
• Speech or Understanding Difficulty:
  Stroke can affect speech or understanding abilities. A person may experience symptoms such as speech disorder, difficulty understanding, or nonsensical speech.
• Vision Problems:
  Stroke can cause vision problems. A person may experience symptoms such as sudden blurring in one eye or both eyes, vision loss, or double vision.
• Dizziness or Loss of Balance:
  Stroke can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination difficulties.
• Severe Headache:
  In some stroke cases, severe and sudden headaches may occur. These headaches are often different from regular headaches and occur suddenly.
• Changes in Consciousness:
  Stroke can cause changes in consciousness. A person may experience symptoms such as fainting, loss of consciousness, or inability to wake up from sleep.
  
  

What Are the Risk Factors for Stroke?

• High Blood Pressure:
  Disrupting vascular health may increase the risk of stroke.
• Cardiovascular Diseases:
  Conditions such as heart diseases, heart rhythm disorders, and vascular diseases increase the risk of stroke.
• Diabetes: 
  Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can elevate the likelihood of stroke.
• High Cholesterol:
  Inducing vascular blockages can enhance the risk of stroke.
• Smoking: 
  Constricting blood vessels may heighten the risk of stroke.
• Obesity: 
  An increase in body weight can be a factor that may escalate the risk of stroke.
• Family History:
  Individuals with a family history of stroke are at a higher risk due to genetic predisposition.
• Age:
  The risk of stroke increases with age. Individuals over the age of 60 are at a higher risk.
• Gender:
  Men have a slightly higher risk of stroke compared to women.
• Other Factors:
  Other factors such as stress, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and sleep apnea can also increase the risk of stroke.
  
  

How Is Stroke Treated?

Stroke treatment requires urgent medical intervention.

In the treatment of ischemic stroke, methods such as thrombolytic medications or mechanical thrombectomy may be used to restore blood flow.

In the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke, it is important to control bleeding and reduce brain pressure.

Early intervention is crucial in stroke treatment, so when stroke symptoms are noticed, immediately call emergency medical services at 112 and seek urgent medical attention.

Rehabilitation is important to support recovery after a stroke. Rehabilitation methods such as physical therapy and speech therapy are used. Stroke treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach and is tailored to the individual needs of the patient.